Southeast More Peaceful After Simon Ekpa’s Arrest – General Musa

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, says the Southeast has experienced relative peace following the arrest of pro-Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, in Finland last year.

Ekpa, who was picked up by Finnish authorities in November 2024 on terrorism-related charges, is still facing prosecution in the European country. General Musa disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Thursday.

The defence chief explained that the calm currently being witnessed in the Southeast was proof that security agencies had been right about Ekpa’s influence on unrest in the region. He said troops have now activated operations to identify and arrest his lieutenants across the five Southeast states of Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia.

“He is still undergoing prosecution in Finland. Since he has been arrested, the Southeast is getting better. We are going to go after the likes of him, wherever they are, and whatever it takes until we bring them down,” Musa said.

He also pointed to the recent arrest of Ansaru terrorist commanders as a significant breakthrough, noting that careful planning and coordination by the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force made the operation possible.

“What has changed is that we have synergy with all the organisations, and that is why we have seen all the successes,” he said.

Musa further revealed that the Defence Headquarters will host an African Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference starting Monday to strengthen regional cooperation against terrorism.